V86 (jackpot): San Moteur in his dress rehearsal – with new racing balance
His seasonal debut left nothing to be desired.
This Wednesday in Eskilstuna will be San Moteur's dress rehearsal for the Åby World Grand Prix.
"He feels fantastic and we are going all in with the equipment this time," says Håkan Arvidsson
Most is already said and written about San Moteur. As of a couple of months ago, there is a much-appreciated documentary available, made as a TV team followed the star trotter last year.
Unfortunately, it did not end as planned. After an impressive win in the Prix de Bourbonnais which gave him a ticket to the Prix d'Amerique, the aim was set at the toughest race in the world. Those plans were put on the shelf though, as San Moteur was injured and had to have surgery for a fractured splint bone.
"It was a terrible blow and everyone around the horse was incredibly disappointed and sad. It was something we had worked toward for so long, and San Moteur felt great. There were a couple of dark days, but all we could do was to break down and get back," says Håkan Arvidsson.
Feels fantastic
The healing process went very well and training back worked out exactly as planned.
"The surgery went perfectly well and it looked better than expected. We were able to resume training pretty soon and after that, it has all gone according to plan. He has felt great, even better than last year. I trained him last Friday and San Moteur felt fantastic".
He won his first start of the year, a couple of weeks ago, with ease, despite making a break shortly after the start.
"He was a bit too sharp and got doubled up and interfered with himself. He then made an incredible comeback and Björn didn't even use him fully. San Moteur has an incredibly explosive speed and he switches gears like few others".
This Wednesday will be a trot fest with a jackpot infused V86 card in Eskilstuna, where San Moteur will make his dress rehearsal for the Åby World Grand Prix on August 10 with a first prize of SEK 6 million.
"His form was around 80 percent in his seasonal debut, we did mostly heavy training before that start and he didn't train faster than 1:35 so, he will be much improved for this start and hopefully, in top form at Åby".
Shoeless and in a new sulky
Håkan reveals that San Moteur will be maximized when it comes to equipment for the first time in his career.
"He will most likely race barefoot all around for the very first time. Björn is certain that he will be perfect, but we want to try it once before the Åby start, just to be safe, I guess it's best for my nerves too. We are also trying him in an American sulky, which is very exciting".
San Moteur will be the giant favorite, are there any worries?
"Not right now, but the closer to the race you get, the more ghosts you see. I think that Mister Herkules is a very nice horse when he's in the right mood. Every race has to be raced, but San Moteur feels so good that I think he should have a great chance to win and I agree that he should be the big favorite".